James c



(No Model.)

-J. G. BRYCE. BELT TENSION DEVICE.

No. 447,444. Patented Mar. 3., 1891.

UNITED STATES Enron,

ATENT JAMES C. BRYCE, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE NICHOLS & SHEPARD COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BELT-TENSION DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 447,444, dated March 3, 1891.

Application filed'December 26, 1890. Serial No. 375,870. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES C. BRYCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Battle Creek, county of Calhoumand State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Belt-Tension Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specitication.

My invention relates to a novel construction of tension device for automatically maintaining a substantially uniform working tension of a driving band or belt, also to a novel arrangement of the parts of the device, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved tension device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the spring for actuating the tension-pulley, showing the casing therefor with the lever cap-plate removed. Fig. 3 is an inner side elevation of the lever cap-plate detached, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation illustrating the device in operation.

A indicates a portion of the frame-work to which the device is to be attached in proper relation to a driving-belt for acting thereon; B, a stand or bracket having suitable legs I) b, terminating at one end in feet for attachment by bolts or screws to the frame A and at the other end in a shallow cylindrical box or case, in which is located a coiled spring 0, the end of the outer coil of which is bent outward at c and enters or engages one of a series of notches or offsets 1) o 820., in the inner wall of the casing-cylinder, as shown, and by the adjustment of which end from one to another of said notches the tension of the spring can be increased or diminished, as required. The inner end of the spring is bent inward,as shown at c, and enters a notch or slot (1 in a cylindrical hub d, formed on the cap-plate D, and surrounding a hollow central pivotal hub B on the casing a through bolt E, securing the cap-plate D to the open end of the cylindrical casing of the bracket B. The cap-plate D in its main portion is in circular or disk shape, forming a cap to the cylindrical casing, but is provided on one side with a lever projection or handle D for rocking it on its pivotal connection with the casing.

The casing B is provided with a lug or stop If on its outer face adjacent-to the cap-plate D, and the latter is provided with a similar lug or stop (P, which in setting the device is rocked against the tension of the spring 0 until it comes in contact, or nearly so, with the stop If, thereby giving the desired tension to the spring for rocking the plate D back toward its normal position,in which the stop d rests in contact with a lug Won the casing, at which point the driving-belt will be most deflected from a right line in taking upslack therein, as will appear.

To the outer face of the plate D, eccentric to its pivot and near its periphery, is secured a stud-shaft f, preferably by having its end connected with said plate shouldered and passing through the plate and held by a nut f on the inner side of the plate and let in flush with said side; but it may be rigidly connected with said plate in any suitable manner. On this shaft f a band-pulley F is journaled, said pulley in practice pressing against the band or driving-belt G, as shown in Fig. 4, and serving, through the action of the spring 0 on the rocking lever and cap plate D, to automatically take up any slack in the belt by deflecting it, as shown in Fig.

4, and so to maintain a practically uniform working tension of said belt.

In setting the device, the bracket B being rigidly secured to the frame in proper relation to the belt Gr, the lever-plate D is vibrated against the tension of the spring 0 to cause the pulley F to rest under or against the belt, as shown, the tension of the spring being exerted to deflect the belt, and thereby to take up any slack therein in a manner that will be readily understood.

The handle Dis perforated at d for the attachment of a cord or chain for enabling the attendant to vibrate the plate D and relieve the tension on the belt, when desired, at a point removed from said plate.

Having now described my invention, I claim as new- 1. In a belt-tension device, the stand or bracket having the cylindrical casing, the

coiled spring adjustable in said casing for varying its tension, and the cap-platc pivoted to said casing and carrying the tension-pulley arranged eccentrically to the pivot of said plate, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a belt-tension device,of the cylindrical casing having the hollow central hub, the cap-plate having also a hollow central hub journaled on said casinghub and carrying the eccentrically-arranged tensionpulley, and the inclosed coiled spring connecting said casing and cap-plate and operating substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a belt-tension device,of the cylindrical casing for the tensionspring, provided with notches or shoulders for JAMES C. BRYCE.

\Vitnesses:

CHESTER P. ALDRICH, ALBERT O. KINGMAN. 

